Artist: Hammerfall
Title: (r)Evolution
Genre: Power Metal
Release Date: 29th August 2014
Label: Nuclear Blast
Album Review
HAMMERFALL is a power metal band from Sweden formed in 1993, a time when metal was slowly wasting away due to the big companies discovery of genres like grunge. Metal wasn`t supported by the big labels anymore, so heavy metal had a hard time and many bands just called it quits. When HAMMERFALL released ‘Glory to the Brave’ in 1997 they revived power metal in all its glory. Originally formed as a project from Oscar Dronjak and Jesper Strömblad, HAMMERFALL participated in the so called Rockslaget a Swedish battle of the bands and got into the semi-final. So now in 2014 these saviours of true metal look back on 10 records and a loyal fellowship.
It`s Saturday once again and I can spend some of my precious time to listen to HAMMERFALLS newest output called ‘(r)Evolution’. Instrumentally, HAMMERFULL is not reinventing the wheel of true metal but hey I honestly don`t think they ever wanted to. They know where their strength is and they go for it, up-tempo metal hymns and sometimes some mid-tempo songs to loosen up the concept. The guitar melodies are often very MANOWAR-esque and true as it gets. The drumming is functional but not at all in the background too much. The bass is barely audible (at least for me, but I barely ever hear the bass as mentioned before). Cans voice is a very special instrument (like or hate his voice) that man can sing that is undoubtedly.
All in all I’m very pleased with HAMMERFALL`s newest output and I have to highlight a song or two. The first highlight is the opener ‘Hector`s Hymn’ - every HAMMERFALL fan will love this one because it slightly reminds me of ‘The Dragon Lies Bleeding’ of their debut album, that song is a up-tempo power hymn. Highlight number two is ‘Bushido’ same class of song but nevertheless great. I leave the rest to you to listen to my dear readers. Love, piece and heavy fuckin metal!
Tracklist
01. Hector's Hymn
02. (r)Evolution
03. Bushido
04. Live Life Loud
05. Ex Inferis
06. We Won't Back Down
07. Winter Is Coming
08. Origins
09. Tainted Metal
10. Evil Incarnate
11. Wildfire
12. Demonized (bonus)
Line-up
Joacim Cans – vocals
Oscar Dronjak – guitar
Pontus Norgren – guitar
Fredrik Larsson – bass
Anders Johansson – drums
Website
www.hammerfall.net / www.facebook.com/hammerfall
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Total: 8 / 10
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